'compulsory training'

xnatalie81x

Hi

I work as a contracted swimming teacher for a council and have been there for 1 year. Today they have told us that we all have to attend a 2hour training session on a wed or fri evening. I work elsewhere on the wed and the fri is inconvenient but we have been told if we don't do it then we will not be able to work!!!!!

From what i understand this is to be unpaid and includes an induction (which i am guessing should have taken place when we started employment), the EAP (emergency action plan) and the computer system they use (which we have nothing to do with at all) - i am wanting to know what the legalties are for making this training compulsory because i cannot do the dates given and they have mentioned a sunday for those who cannot do the above dates which would mean paying for childcare!!!

HELP!!!!!!! If i don't do the training what would happen? - it seems like they are covering their backs for not doing what they should have done when we first joined the co. (i only teach 2hrs a week for them)

Proc

Have you been there for more or less than one year. This is important because if you've been there for less than 12 months, they can just sack you without reason. Not going to this training would give them a reason.

Why can't your husband look after the kids?

brightonman123

would have thought something this important should really be done during (paid) work hours? up to council / pool manager to get cover for staff while doing this?

Emmzi

see elsewhere on this board for people needing statutory training to do their crrent job and also having to pay thousands for it themselves.

they've been reasonable a) making it free and b) giving you a choice of 3 dates.

is it a legal requirement?

I'd just find a way to go and not stress.

Ivrytwr3

agree with above. If this was a weekly thing, then you would have a right to whinge/complain. But if this is a one-off i'd just go to one of the training dates and get it done.

In this climate i'd be doing whatever it took to hold onto the job.

anamenottaken

You are a contractor so presumably self-employed or agency staff. You do not have employment rights like an employee in any case, so the question about length of employment is irrelevant.

It sounds like mandatory training as far as the council is concerned rather than statutory.

They are allowing you a choice of time. I understand Wednesday would not be good because of your other work. Friday you say is "inconvenient", whatever that means. Sunday you say you would need to pay for childcare. Do you not know anyone who would care for your child/children for two-three hours one weekend?

ohreally

These are really induction issues and should have been dealt with long before now, poor poor planning from managements perspective.

Request they review their decision and look to a session you are on-site to deliver the training but as you're a contractor they may not try too hard to agree this course.